General 
William  Lee  Davidson 


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in  2011  with  funding  from 

University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


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}fr.  Prcsidciif  of  the  (1  nil  ford  Battle  (!  round  Conipanij,  Ladies 
and  Genlli  nii  II  : 

Fom-th  of  July  celebrations  are  visually  expectad  to  be  ac- 
com})anieil  with  ilights  of  eloquence  and  streams  of  oratory  as 
tlie  deeds  of  our  ancestors  and  the  blessings  they  have  secured 
for  mankind  are  brought  to  memory.  Although  a  century  and 
a  fourth  have  elapsed  since  he  of  whom  I  s^jeak  to  you  gave  his 
life  as  a  part  of  the  price  of  the  indei>endence  of  America,  yet 
so  little  history  has  been  written  concerning  his  services  that 
a  simple  memorial  oration  would  be  but  little  understood  or 
appreciated  by  my  audience.  In  order  to  have  true  history,  we 
must  first  collect  the  ''ana"'  or  account  of  the  individual  inci- 
dent or  deeds  of  the  individual.  These  the  annalist  arranges 
with  reference  to  date  of  occurrence  and  then  the  liistorian  is 
rea'ly  for  his  work.  ('om])arison  of  ev^ents  and  individuals 
with  panegyrics,  etc..  follow.  Today  1  come  not  with  an  ora- 
tion, but  with  some  *'ana,"  some  annals,  some  history  concern- 
ing my  subject,  a.Jid  hope  I  may  fnrni>h  a  paper  that  will  be 
useful  to  the  writer  and  student  of  North  Carolina  history.  1 
fear  that  man}^  of  our  ])eople  do  not  ai>preciate  the  claims  of 
the  State  to  the  glories  and  blessings  of  the  Fourth  of  July — 
hail  its  coming  with  joyful  acclaim  and  have  a  just  pride  in 
all  that  concerns  it.  The  men  of  whom  you  shall  hear  today 
rendered  their  services  and  gave  their  lives  to  establish  the 
Foui-th  of  July  as  an  important  date  in  the  calendars  of  the 
nations  (,f  the  ea.rth. 

Then  while  we  will  never  <-ease  to  honor  the  memory  of  the 
men  who  followed  Lee  and  his  lieutenants  in  IS-'Jl-'O;"),  let  us  not 
forget  the  services  of  those  who  followed  Washington  and 
Greene  in  1776-'S1,  and  the  blessings  they  purchased  for  us. 

In  most  of  the  States  there  are  no  localities  to  recall  events 
of  the  Kevolution.  The  oldest  inhabitant  almost  recollects  the 
first  house  or  even  when  the  Indians  left.  The  military  monu- 
ments relate  almost  Avholly  to  the  Civil  War.  And  as  the 
father  tells  his  son  of  the  hero  commemorated,  endjellishing 
with  real  or  imaginary  narration,  he  arouses  and  perpetuates 


secfional  feeling  and  keeps  alive  in  the  yontli  aniniosilv  for  a 
portion  of  his  conntrynien.  With  us  it  is  different:  tliis  battle- 
field, Moore's  Creek,  Charlotte  and  the  other  places  of  revolu- 
tionary engagements,  are  object  lessons  in  teaching  jtatriotisni. 
From  almost  every  hill  top  in  my  vicinity  we  see  King's  ^loun- 
tain;  it  aids  in  perpetuating  the  valor  of  our  ancestors  a?id  en- 
couraging love  for  the  Union. 

•  During  the  Civil  War,  Avhen  the  body  of  the  heroic  grandson 
was  interred  by  that  of  the  grandfather  of  Kevolutionary  fame, 
pride  was  felt  in  his  conduct  and  generations  will  be  taught  to 
remember  it — but  there  was  and  has  been  no  lessening  of  the 
admiration  and  veneration  of  the  deeds  of  the  grand-sire  in 
making  America  a  Nation. 

GfiN.   WILLIAM    LI:K  D.WIHSON. 

Davif^son's  Creek,  having  its  source  a  few  miles  norlli  of 
Mooresville,  in  Iredell  (formerly  Kowan)  counly.  Hows  in  a 
southeast  direction  and  emi)ties  into  the  Catawba  i-iver  below 
Beattie's  Ford,  in  Meclclenburg  county. 

Among  the  families  that  settled  upon  the  lands  of  the  upper 
portion  of  the  creek  prior  to  the  Revolution  were  those  of 
Davidson,  Ramsey,  Rrevard,  Osborne,  Winslow,  Kerr,  Rankin, 
Temi)leton,  Dickey,  Brawley,  Moore  and  Emerson.  They  came 
principally  from  I'ennsylvania  and  Maryland.  From  the  David- 
sons the  creek  derived  its  iL-ime.  They  were  generall  Scotdi- 
Ii-ish  Presbyterians  and  as  was  the  custom  of  these  jieople, 
organized  themselves  int<>  a  "congregation"  for  the  jM-omotion 
of  religion  and  educatioiL 

Among  the  early  settlers  was  George  Davidson  and  family, 
from  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  1750.  His  youngest 
son,  William  Lee  Davidson,  was  born  in  171(5.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  Charlotte  at  the  Academy,  which  afterwards  became 
successively  Queen's  Museum  and  Liberty  Hall,  but  probably 
attende'd  the  Centre  Academy  prior  to  coming  to  Charlotte. 
There  is  some  confusion  as  to  his  name — whether  'Lee"  is  prop- 
erly a  portion  of  it.  He  appears  upon  the  muster  rolls  under 
both  names.  In  his  will,  which  is  recorded  in  the  office  of  the 
clerk  of  the  Superior  Court  in  Salisbury,  he  says:    "I,  William 


Lee  Davidson,"  and  si^ns  it  ''Wni.  L.  Davidson."  This  settles 
the  (juestion. 

His  pension  and  land  grant  for  i-ervices  are  to  William  Da- 
vidson. He  is  not  mentioned  in  the  records  as  William  Lee 
nntil  he  becomes  liC'utenant-colonel,  October  4,  1777.  So  in  liis- 
torical  matters  he  is  both  William  and  William  Lee  and  cannot 
be  restricted  to  either  name.  I  think  Lee  was  the  maiden  name 
of  his  mother,  or  some  of  her  connection.  His  eldest  son  was 
called  George  Lee.  His  yonnjiest  son,  born  several  months 
after  his  death  and  named  for  him,  was  called  William  Lee. 

William  Lee  Davidson,  after  reaching  his  majority,  made 
his  home  prior  to  his  marriage  with  his  cousin.  Major  George 
Davidson.  He  married  ^larv,  the  eldest  child  of  -John  P»revard, 
and  settled  on  Davidson's  creek  at  what  is  now  known  as  the 
McTherson  place,  and  owned  afterwards  by  Hon.  Rnfus  Reid. 
He  also  owned  the  land  npon  which  Davidson  College  is 
located.  It  was  sold  by  his  son,  William  Lee,  to  the  trnstees 
of  the  college  in  1835. 

DAVIDSOX    COITNTY. 

In  178.'>,  the  Legislature  organized  the  county  of  Davidson 
an<l  named  the  county-seat  Xashville,  in  honor  of  (Jenei-als 
Da\'idson  and  Nash.  When  Tennessee  was  conveyed  to  the 
laiifed  States  this  ceased  to  be  a  i»art  of  North  Carolina,  as 
did  also  Washington,  Greene,  ILiwkins,  Sullivan  and  Sumner 
counties.  In  1822,  the  present  county  of  Davidscui  was  formed, 
as  the  State  desired  to  honor  his  name.  In  1777,  the  county  of 
Nash  had  been  organized. 

DAVIDSON    COLL*EGE. 

August  20,  18;>5,  the  Concord  Presbytery  resolved  "that  the 
manual  labor  institution  which  we  are  about  to  build  be  called 
Davidson  College,  as  a  tribute  to  the  memory  of  that  distin- 
guished and  excellent  man.  General  William  Davidson,  who  in 
the  ardor  of  patriotism  fearlessly  contending  for  the  liberty 
of  his  country,  fell  (universally  lamented)  in  the  battle  of 
Cowan's  Fora." 


THE   DAVIDSON    MONUMt^NT. 


September  20,  17S1,  Congress  enacted  the  following  resolu 
tion : 

"That  the  Governor  and  (Council  of  tlie  State  of  North  ('aro- 
lina  be  directed  to  erect  a  inonunient  at  the  expense  of  the 
United  States,  not  exceeding  in  value  live  hundred  <loll:irs,  to 
the  memory  of  the  late  lirigadier-C.eneral  Davidson,  wlu*  com- 
manded the  militia  of  the  district  (d"  Salisbnr.v  in  the  State  of 
North  Carolina,  and  was  killed  on  the  lirst  of  Februarv  last, 
fighting  gallantly  for  the  defense  of  the  lihcrly  and  inde[»<Mid- 
ence  of  these  State." 

This  matter  was  rcNivod  in  Congress  at  dilVerenl  times,  nota- 
bly by  Senator  ^^'.  A.  (Ji-aham  in  ISfl  and  1S12,  and  atten- 
tion was  called  to  it  at  various  times  by  the  Society  of  the  (Mn- 
cinnali  and  private  individuals,  among  tlieiu  I'rof.  \V.  A. 
AAMthers,  <»r  the  North  Carolina  A.  iS:  M.  College,  and  later  by 
the  (JniltVtrd  r.attle  (Jround  Company,  and  an  a|»propiiation 
ni-ged  to  execute  the  residntion  of  17S1.  but  not  until  1!H(L', 
through  the  labors  of  Hon.  W.  W.  Kitchin,  the  present  worthy 
Re}»rcsentative  fr*nn  this,  the  Fifth  North  Candina  Di.^trict,  in 
the  House  of  liepresentatives  of  the  rnitcd  States  Con 
gi-ess.  was  an  ai»])ropria(ion  secured.  He  was  matei-ially 
aided  in  its  enaclnieiit  by  tiie  lalxus  of  Ctdonel  IJene- 
han  Cameron,  who  re](resented  the  Society  of  the  Cincin- 
nati, aud  Col.  Joseph  M.  Morehead,  the  etticient  ]>resi«lent  (d' 
the  Guilford  Battle  Ground  Comitany,  to  wlutse  ]>atriotic  sei-- 
vices  much  of  the  woi-k  of  preserving  and  adorning  this  historic 
field  is  due.  F.y  means  of  this  appro]triation  of  five  thousand 
dollai'S,  this  monument  Juis  been  erected,  (rnifrdl  DurUlHun 
iras  (I  cilizoi  of  Itoi'dii  [tioir  Ircddl)  coiiiilji.  (iiuJ  liis  sci-riccs 
arc  to  he  rrcditcd  to  tliat  coiniti/  (tiid  not  to  M i'cl}()ihur<i.  <is  is 
soiikI i incs  (lone. 

In  ISJ/S,  in  his  iiicsmgv  to  the  Lcf/ishitnrc,  (iov.  Graham 
rccoinntendid  an  appropriation  for  nionnnicnts  to  (lens.  Xash 
and  Daridson,  as  Congress  had  neglected  io  make  the  neces- 
sary provision.    In  concluding,  he  said: 

''It  ivoiild  he  a.  ptting  memorial  of  the  patriotic  services  and 


snerificrs  of  the  illiisfrioiis  dead  and  a  perpetual  incentive  to 
the  liriiKj  to  lead  sueh  lires,  and  if  duty  demanded  it,  to  devote 
theniselres  to  such  deaths  for  their  cou}itry." 

SERVICES    IN    THE    REVOLUTION. 

The  comineiiceinent  of  hostilities  in  the  Kevolution  was  not 
simihir  to  a  riot  or  outbreak  where  one  clay  there  is  order  and 
law,  and  the  next  strife  and  turmoil.  The  aspirations  of  the 
people  indlvidnally  and  collectively  for  liberty  and  self-govern- 
ment were  well  fertilized  by  the  o])pressive  conduct  of  officers 
of  the  Crown  and  the  unfriendly  legislation  of  Parliament. 
The  approach  of  the  storm  was  visible  and  preparations  were 
made  for  its  coming.  The  liouring  mills  were  the  points  where 
neighbors  met.  As  he  communicated  his  ideas  of  liberty  to 
comrade  he  soAved  seed  in  fertil  e  ground,  or  watered  that 
already  germinating;  the  work  continued  until  the  harvest  was 
ripe.  The  tlrst  organizations  were  in  captains  ''beats,"  which 
were  the  unit  of  organization  until  ''townships"  were  intro- 
duced in  18(>S,  then  by  regiment  or  county,  then  Superior  Court 
districts  or  brigade,  afterwards  State  or  Province. 

COMMITTEES  OF  SAFETY. 

The  tirst  governing  bodies  were  Committees  of  Safety,  and 
were  organized  in  New  Hanover,  Mecklenburg,  Rowan  and  per- 
haps other  counties,  as  early  as  YilZ.  The  county  cominittees 
were  generally  comi»osed  of  two  representatives  from  each  cap- 
tain's beat.  The  convention,  May  20,  1775,  at  Charlotte,  was 
probably  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  ]Mecklenl»urg  county. 
Gen.  Graham,  in  his  address  at  Charlotte,  INIay  20,  183"),  says 
these  committees  continued  for  fifteen  years  or  more. 

Subseiiuent  to  the  Kevolution  they  usually  met  after  the  elec- 
tion and  framed  instructions  to  Representatives  in  the  Legis- 
lature, that  he  received  such  instruction  in  17S!)  nnd  17!MI  when 
Senator.  That  at  that  time  (1835)  there  were  laws  in  exist- 
ence that  had  been  suggested  by  these  committees.  The  journal 
of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  KovN'an  county  is  preserved  as 
early  as  August  8,  1774,  and  shows  existence  before  that  date. 

William  Davidson  appears  as  a  member  Seijtember  23d,  and 


was  probably  one  of  the  members  at  the  organization.  He  is 
a]»]>ointe(l  a  member  of  a  committee  <»f  twenty-five  to  see  that 
tlie  resolves  of  the  Provim-ial  and  Continental  ('ongi-esses  are 
observed.  This  is  the  first  appearance  of  his  name  njxin  Ihe 
records.  At  the  same  session  he  is  appointed  a  member  of  a 
committee  to  cite  certain  i»ersons  to  ajtpear  before  the  Commit- 
tee of  i^afety  to  answer  the  charge  of  aihancing  the  i)rice  of 
powder. 

iMii.rriA  siORVicic. 

Angnst  1,  177;"),  format i(tn  of  t-omjiMnies  of  "minnte  men"  is 
antlntrized,  who  sliall  be  ready  to  resjKiiid  immediately  to  the 
call  of  the  c<ui»mittee.  At  this  session  he  is  mentioned  as  caj)- 
tain  of  militia  and  ordered  to  iiiij)ress  some  ammnniti()n  in  the 
possession  of  dohn  \Vork.  Dui-ing  this  month  the  Provincial 
Congress  i>rovided  r«tr  the  <»rganizaii<in  of  the  State  and  he  is 
named  on  the  committee  for  Kowan  comity.  The  State  simply 
extended  the  cai)tain's  beat  and  connty  (»rgani/>ation,  retaining 
the  name  Committee  of  Safety,  except  for  the  State,  which  was 
called  Provincial  Conncil. 

Septend)er  I'Oth,  his  militia  company  is  rejtorted  as  contain- 
ing one  hunilred  and  eighteen  men. 

October  17,  177."),  nnder  the  law  of  the  Provincial  Congress, 
he  is  elected  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the 
connty  of  Kowan,  the  committee  being  now  elected  by  the  free- 
liolders  and  honseholders  of  the  connty. 

Novend)ei'  2Sth.  he  reported  a  company  of  minnte  men  as 
organized  and  a  committee  is  apixdnted  to  inspect  tlie  c(tm- 
pany  and  see  that  it  is  comi>osed  of  ''able,  elfective  men.'' 

In  December,  1775,  lie  served  under  Gen.  Rutherford  against 
tlie  Schovelite  tories  in  South  Carolina  in  the  "Snow  Cam- 
l)aign,"  probably  with  liis  comj>any  of  minute  men;  also  in  the 
campaign  against  the  Cherokee  Indians  in  the  fall  of  1770. 
(State  Records,  Vol.  XV..  ]».  113.) 

TIIK     NORTH     CAROLINA     LINE,     OR     CONTINENTALS. 

In  August,  1775,  North  Carolina  organized  two  regiments 
to  serve  "during  the  war."  In  April,  177(5,  in  compliance  with 
the  act  of  Congress  to  furnish  nine  battalions  "to  serve  during 


9 

the  war,"  four  more  regiments  were  orj>aiiize(l,  wliicli,  with  the 
two  formed  the  year  before,  six  in  all,  comstitvited  (he  nine 
battalions. 

William  Davidson  was  commissioned  ^lajor  of  the  Fourth 
Regiment  April  15,  1770. 

These  troops  were  designated  the  "North  Carolina  Line  or 
Continentals,"  as  distinguishing  them  from  the  miliiia,  which 
retained  its  former  organi/.ati(»n,  and  Avas  called  into  service 
by  the  State  authorities  for  designated  terms  of  service,  gener- 
ally three  months.  This  distinction  of  troops  was  not  observed 
by  all  the  States.  Massachusetts  and  the  other  New  England 
States  succeeded  in  having  Congress  to  recognize  nearly  all 
their  troops  as  ('ontinentals,  however  short  the  term  of  enlist- 
ment or  call  to  service,  and  thus  had  a  large  force  recorded  as 
Continentals  who  did  not  serve  nearly  as  long  as  many  of  the 
North  Carolina  militia,  and  the  New  England  States  thus 
secured  the  appointment  of  a  much  larger  nund)er  of  general 
oflScers  in  the  Continental  force  than  they  were  justly  entitled 
to,  and  obtained  for  their  troops  the  benefit  of  the  acts  of  the 
Continental  Congress.  The  militia  Avas  under  control  of  the 
State,  the  Continental,  of  Congress. 

The  frequent  reduction  of  Gen.  Washington's  forces  to  incon- 
veniently small  numbers  by  the  return  home  of  nmny  of  the 
troops  of  the  Northern  States  A\'hose  short  terms  of  enlistment 
Avould  expire,  interfered  much  with  its  efficiency  and  i)revented 
action  of  importance  to  the  American  cause. 

This  New  England  continental  Army,  except  the  officers,  was 
Avith  difficulty  kept  embodied  after  Washington  assumed  com- 
mand during  the  siege  of  JJoston,  oAving  to  short  enlistments, 
and  soon  melted  away  Avlien  the  British  evacuated  the  city  in 
March,  1776.  Having  had  a  short  military  service,  they  re- 
turned home  to  enjoy  the  comforts  of  the  fireside  and  the  ap- 
propriations of  the  Continental  Congress. 

In  the  campaign  of  1776,  the  loss  of  the  State  of  New  York 
and  the  retreat  through  NeAv  Jersey  of  Washington  Avith  his 
depleted  army  is  attributed  to  this  cause. 

Early  in  1777,  Congress,  in  order  to  remedy  this  evil,  ordered 
the  North  Carolina  I>rigade  to  march  to  re-enforce  the  armv 


10 

of  the  tM>imiuin(lei--iii-cliief,  and  runiisli  liiiii  a  force  that  eoiihl 
be  depended  uiwn  for  permanent  and  ellirient  sei-vice. 

These  troops,  under  Col.  Martin,  (Jens.  II(»\ve  and  Mo(»re, 
had  "seen  service"  against  the  Schovilite  tories  in  South  Caro- 
lina; under  Major-General  Lee  in  the  repulse  ttf  Clinton  and 
Tarker  at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  and  a.uaii'st  the  Loyalists  of  the 
Cape  Fear  section.  Cen.  Moore  had  died  in  April,  1777.  (Jen. 
Howe  was  in  command  of  the  Department  of  the  Soiilh.  Col. 
Nash  was  promoted  brigadier  general  and  jdaced  in  command. 
The  troops  were  in  Charleston  as  late  as  February,  but  before 
May  had  assembled  at  Halifax  and  begun  the  march  iiorih- 
ward. 

In  .Ma\-,  1777,  i\>\.  Alex.  >hirlin.  uf  I  he  Second  Ke^iment, 
wriles  (Jen.  ^^'aslling•ton  that  he  has  readied  Ah'.\aii.!ria.  \'a., 
with  the  advance  of  the  brigade;  that  nine  ballalious,  with  a 
total  of  forty-five~  hundred  men,  had  left  ILilifax  as  i-eiufcuve- 
ments  to  his  army;  that  the  men  who  Isad  not  liai  s;iialli>ox 
would  go  into  camp  (at  (Jeorgetown)  for  iuoc'lation ;  that 
Major  dethro  Sumner  would  i)roceed  immediately  wilh  a  com- 
uumd  of  all  the  immuues.  A  report  of  Major  Sr.muer's  «-o]n- 
mand,  ten  days  later,  shows  only  one  hundred  jui  1  sixty  men. 
This  would  indicate  that  4,300  uien  went  into  cam])  for  inocuhi- 
tion.  The  nr.mber  which  died  cannot  be  accurately  stated. 
(Jovernor  Grahaui,  in  his  address  uison  the  "Life  and  Character 
of  (Jen.  (Jrreene"  (December,  ISCjO),  states  that  "An  extensive 
burial  place  is  still  recognized  in  that  jdace  (Georgetiiwn)  as 
the  sepulchre  of  the  North  Car<dina  trtutps  who  die.1  there  of 
the  nuUady."  This  was  twenty  years  before  the  discovery  of 
vaccination.  The  disease  was  communicated  Ijy  a}>j)lying  (lie 
virus  from  one  alTlicted  with  it  to  the  patient,  and  he  had  a 
genuine  case  of  smallpox.  Courage  to  endure  the  agonies  of 
this  camp  was  greater  than  that  to  face  the  eue;ny  in  battle. 

The  trooi>s  reached  Washington's  airmy  iu  June  at  Miildle- 
brook.  New  Jersey,  and  were  organized  by  Gen.  Nash. 

There  is  no  report  of  the  services  of  this  brigade  as  ;i  bo<ly 
iu  the  cami)aigns  under  Gen.  Washington.  It  is  only  fmui 
references  to  service  or  parts  of  it  by  other  officers  that  w:3 
procure  any  inforftiation.     Conceruiug  its  action  iu  the  battle 


11 

of  GermantoAvn  in  wliicli  tlie  brigade  was  a  part  of  the  division 
of  Major-General  Oreene,  Marshall  and  other  historians  only 
state  tliat  Gen.  Nash  was  killed.  It  is  known  that  Col.  Irwin 
and  Gapt.  Turner  were  killed,  Col.  IMinroinbe  was  mortally 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner  and  ('(d.  Tolk  wounded. 

(Jen.  Sullivan,  of  New  Ifanipshire,  in  his  report  to  the  Gov- 
ernor of  that  State,  says  a  North  Garoliua  regiment,  under 
Col.  Armstrong,  in  conjunction  with  his  own  division,  had 
driven  the  enemy  a  mile  and  a  half  beyond  Chew's  house,  be- 
fore the  panic  occurred.  The  North  Carolina  brigade  was  act- 
ing as  a  unit,  and  it  is  ])0ssible  that  this  was  the  work  of  the 
entire  comnmnd  Avith  Col.  Armstrong  conspicuously  in  the  van. 
Davidson  is  pi'omoted  this  date  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the 
Fifth  Regiment.     Tradition  says  for  gallantry  in  the  action. 

The  earliest  report  of  the  strength  of  the  brigade  on  the 
records  of  the  United  States  War  Department  is  November 
11,  1777,  and  shows  139  oflicers  and  1,025  men,  total  1,150  pres- 
ent for  duty. 

After  the  battle  of  Brandy  wine,  September  11,  1777,  the 
Second  and  Third  Regiments  were  consolidated  and  were  called 
the  Second.  After  the  battle  of  Germantown,  the  First  and 
Fourth  v/ere  merged  into  the  First.  The  Eighth  Uattalion  was 
disbanded,  the  men  in  it  being  transferred  to  the  Second  Regi- 
ment. This  would  indicate  severe  loss  in  the  North  Carolina 
troops  in  these  actions. 

Davidson  appears  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  First  in 
1777  and  1780.  In  May,  1778,  Congress  ordered  the  consolida- 
tion of  the  North  Carolina  troops  into  full  battalions  and  that 
the  officers  not  needed  to  command  these  battalions  should 
return  to  North  Carolina  to  command  the  four  additional  regi- 
ments to  be  furnished  by  the  State.  Moon's  creek,  near  the 
^^irginia  line,  in  Caswell  county,  on  the  old  plank  road,  about 
midway  between  Danville,  Va.,  and  Yanceyville,  N.  C,  and 
Halifax  were  named  as  points  of  rendezvous  for  the  troops; 
and  conuiiissioners  sent  to  these  points  to  designate  the  officers 
of  the  respective  commands.  A  church  of  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tists called  by  the  name  now  marks  the  locality  of  Moon's 


12 

Creek  encampment.  The  whole  to  assemble  at  Bladensburg, 
Maryland. 

Lientenaut-Colonel  Davidson  assumed  command  of  lh(»sc 
who  met  at  Charlotte,  being  joined  on  the  mtirch  by  \<)lun- 
teers  from  other  points.  On  reaching  Moon's  Creek,  news  of 
the  battle  of  Monmouth  was  received;  that  the  T.i-ilish  had 
gone  to  New  York  and  there  was  no  ui-gent  need  of  reinforce- 
ments, ^lany  of  the  men  from  western  Noi-lh  Carulina  took 
furloughs  until  again  called  to  service.  There  was  considei-able 
dissatisfaction  and  some  mutinous  conduct  <»n  tlie  j»arl  of  sctmc 
of  tiie  officers  and  men  as  to  payment  of  l»ounty  and  hxing  a 
definite  time  for  service  to  commence.  This  was  to  1k'  alter 
passing  the  State's  border. 

July  ISth,  Col.  Thackston  writes  Col.  TTogan  about  sending 
the  paymaster  at  (nice  to  Col.  DavidsoiTs  relief,  c(mcerning 
Avhich  he  (Davidson)  had  written  him.  Col.  Davidson  nssuun'd 
command  of  those  who  continued  in  sei-vice  ami  after  these  dis- 
agreements were  !-ettled,  moved  to  liladensburg  to  join  the  c<^>n- 
tingent  that  had  assembled  at  Halifax,  and  tiience  to  Washing 
ton's  army.  They  remained  with  this  army  until  November, 
1779,  when  the  North  Carolina  Continental  Drigade  was  or- 
dered to  reinforce  Gen.  Lincoln  at  Charleston. 

In  May  the  Legislature  had  reciuestel  the  brigade  to  be  sent 
south.  Congress  re})lied  that  this  Avas  impracticable  in  the 
summer,  but  it  would  be  done  in  the  fall.  The  brigade  then 
numbered  seven  hundred  and  thirty-seven  eihcient  men.  D  ar- 
rived at  Charleston  in  March.  Col.  Davidson  having  (detained, 
en  route,  a  furlough  to  visit  his  family,  did  not  report  at 
Charleston  before  it  was  encompassed  by  the  enemy  and  thus 
escaped  cai)ture  at  the  surrender. 

The  muster  rolls  of  the  (Continental  Line  show  timt  the  fiel  1 
officers  of  a  regiment  each  had  a  com[)any,  the  ca.ptains  being 
omitted  in  organization  of  such  companies.  In  ^'ol.  NIV.  of 
The  State  Records,  page  294,  there  is  the  roll  of  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  W.  L.  Davidson's  com})any  on  April  23,  1779.  It  con- 
tained, after  leaving  the  snrallpox  camp,  (i2  men;  19  of  these 
had  died;  9  were  in  the  hospital  and  32  present  for  duty,  a 
death  rate  of  31  per  cent.,  of  dead  and  disabled  47  per  cent. 


13 

Tlie  bi'iji'ade  siilforod  sevoroly  in  tlie  service  witli  (Umi.  ^VnsIlinJ^- 
toii. 

It  jserved  in  rennsylvania,  New  Jersey  ;uul  New  York,  going 
as  far  North  as  West  I'oint  (one  of  Davidson's  men  died  at 
West  Point)  ;  fonglit  in  the  battle  of  jNloninonth  and  sliared  in 
all  the  hardships  of  this  memorable  ejioch  of  the  war  in  that 
section. 

The  State  Avas  to  snpply  tlie  clothing,  the  national  govern- 
ment the  rations;  the  officers  to  purchase  both  for  themselves. 
Both  officers  and  men  suffered  severely,  the  arrearage  of  pa3' 
causing  the  officers  to  see  even  "harder  times"  than  the  men, 
as  is  shown  by  corresjtondence  witli  the  State  authorities.  A 
letter  from  (icn.  Lockton  Mcintosh  to  Gov.  Caswell  from  the 
camp  at  Valley  Forge,  states  that  no  troojis  suffered  nntre  in 
the  intensely  cold  winter  of  1777-S  than  did  those  of  North 
Carolina  in  Washington's  army. 

In  this  service,  although  we  see  but  little  recorded  mention 
of  Col.  Davidson,  the  esteem  in  which  he  Avas  held  by  his  com- 
rades, and  others  familiar  with  military  movements,  shoAvs  that 
he  Avas  ajiiong  the  most  efficient  officers  of  the  brigade. 

I  have  never  seen  a  report  subsequent  to  that  of  Col.  Martin 
in  1777,  that  returns  more  than  2. (MM)  men.  Of  tlie  4, ")()!)  men 
AA'ho  left  Halifax  in  May,  1777,  and  the  re-enforcements  sent  in 
177S,  only  7;>7  etVective  men  i-eturned  to  Norlh  Carolina  in  De- 
cember, 177!).  The  i"e]»ort  for  January,  177!),  shows  jaesent 
1,33!),  of  Avhom  448  are  sick.  The  Third  Kegiment  re]»orts  35 
effective  out  of  4(»4. 

SERVICE    IN    NOUTII    CAROLINA    MILITIA. 

When  Lord  Kawd<in  in  May,  17S(),  began  his  advance  toward 
North  Carolina.  (Jen.  Kutherford,  Avho  commanded  the  militia 
of  the  Salisbury  district,  /.  c.  of  KoAvan,  iNIecklenburg.  Lincoln, 
Rutherford,  F.urke,  and  the  counties  in  Avhat  is  now  Tennessee, 
called  his  forces  into  service.  Some  for  three  months,  the 
usual  length  of  a  term  of  service,  and  some  for  such  time  as 
actually  needed. 

Col.  Davidson  reported  to  him  at  ('harlotte  for  duty.  Gen. 
Rutherford  formed  a  battalion  of  light  infantrv   (as  mounted 


14 

infantry  were  then  designated)  of  one  linndred  men,  and  as- 
signed him  to  this  command,  rrincipally  by  tlie  aid  of  (Jen. 
Graham's  "Kevolutionry  I'apers"  we  ean  connectedly  follow  his 
service  from  this  time  nntil  death. 

colson's  aiii>l. 

When  Ixn-d  Kawdon  retired  1o  Camden,  he  went  willi  (5en. 
Rntherford  to  Kamsanr's  Mill,  where  they  arrived  a  few  honrs 
after  the  conliict  had  terminated.  From  here  he  marched  with 
Gen.  Kntherford  to  suppress  the  Tory  leader  Bryan  in  the 
"forks  of  the  Yadkin."  The  forks  of  the  Yadkin,  as  mentioned 
in  hist<»i-y  of  this  time,  was  not  the  territory  between  North 
and  South  Yadkin  rivers,  but  that  between  the  creeks  east  of 
the  Yadkin,  mostly  in  what  is  now  Surry  county.  IJryan,  whose 
force  numbered  eight  hundred,  having  learned  of  tbe  battle  of 
Ramsaur's  Mill  and  Rutherford's  advance  against  him,  hastily 
departed  to  unite  with  Maj.  McArthur  on  the  Pee  Dee.  Gol. 
Davidson,  with  his  command, which,  according  to  Maj.  Tdount's 
letter  to  (lov.  Nash,  numbered  1C>()  (\'(d.  NV.,  ]».  <'.,  State 
Records),  being  mounted,  was  dis]iatcheil  down  the  west  side 
of  the  Yadkin  to  overtake  him,  but  the  start  he  had  and  the 
celerity  with  which  he  moved,  enabled  liryan  to  reach  his 
friends  without  molestation.  Learning  that  a  i>arty  of  Tories 
were  at  Gcdson's  M\\\  (now  probably  Lowder's,  in  Stanly 
county),  near  the  junction  of  Rocky  and  Pee  Dee  rivers,  Col. 
Davidson,  on  July  21st,  undertook  to  surprise  and  cai)tur? 
them,  but  his  movements  being  discerned  by  the  enemy,  onh' 
partially  succeeded;  he  killed  three,  wounded  four  and  cap- 
tured ten.  He  was  severely  woundcil  through  the  loins;  aiteu 
tion  being  probably  called  to  him  by  his  conspicuor-s  uniform; 
two  of  liis  men  were  also  wounded.  He  was  carried  hiune 
where  he  remained  two  months. 

Al'POINTED    BRIGADIER    (iENERAL. 

Gen.  Rutherford  was  wounded  and  caidured  at  the  battle  of 
Camden,  August  Kith.  Gen.  H.  W.  Harrington,  of  the  Fayette- 
ville  district,  w^as  assigned  temporarily  to  the  command  of  the 
Salisbury  district.    Gen.  Sumner  having  been  assigned  to  the 


15 

coiiHuaiul  of  tlie  militia  in  service  otlier  llian  that  of  tlie  Salis- 
bury district,  had  Col.  Uavidson  a}»i>oiiited  to  coiinnand  the 
"horse''  of  his  coiiniiaiul.  On  Auj^^ust  ^Jlst,  the  Legislature 
appointed  Colonel  l)a\idson  IJrigadier-General  of  uiilitia  for 
the  Salisbury  disti-ict  dr.rini>-  (teneral  IJutherford's  absence, 
and  Major  William  K.  Davie  t-olonel  of  the  cavalry.  These 
a]»i»oiiitiiients  met  with  hearty  ai»i»roval  in  the  Salisbury 
district,  but  Gen.  Harrington,  beiiiii'  offended  at  the  ap- 
p(»intment  of  Gen.  Davidson,  j>ave  notice  of  his  resignation 
as  brigadier-general  of  militia  so  soon  as  the  condition  of 
affairs  in  his  immediate  command  would  admit,  and  on  Novem- 
ber 3d,  tendered  it  to  the  l)Oard  of  AVar.  He  complained  of 
being  deprive!  of  command  of  the  first  brigade  in  the  State 
a  deserved  comijliment  to  the  Salisbury  district.  Gen.  Har- 
rington had  been  an  efficient  officer  and  i>erfornied  valuable 
services  in  the  Fayetteville  district.  There  was  considerable 
jealousy  between  the  militia  and  Continental  officers  when 
thrown  in  the  same  command. 

Upon  the  reception  of  his  commission,  Gen.  Davidson,  having 
recovered  from  his  wound,  inunediately  repaired  to  Charlotte 
and  entered  upon  his  duties.  He  still,  however,  retaineil  his 
commission  of  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  Continental  line.  The 
militia  were  assembling  to  oppose  the  advance  of  Cornwallis, 
the  ren<lezvons  \Aas  at  ^McCaljnn's  creek,  seven  miles  from 
Charlotte,  on  the  i'amden  road. 

When  Ferguson  moved  into  Rutherford  and  linrke  counties, 
Gen.  Davidson  ordered  a  force  of  militia  to  assemble  at  Sher- 
rill's  Ford  to  o](pose  him,  the  supposition  being  that  Ferguson 
would  cross  the  Catawba  near  the  mountains,  and  nu>ve  down 
the  Yadkin  in  order  to  aid  Cornwallis  in  crossing  that  stream. 
Col.  Francis  Locke,  of  Kowan,  one  of  the  most  gallant  and  use- 
ful officers  of  this  time,  commanded  at  SherrilTs  Ford,  and  was 
to  be  re-enforced  by  Col.  Williams  with  the  militia  of  Surry 
and  other  counties.  Col.  Locke  had  won  the  battle  at  Rani- 
saur's  ^lill,  three  months  before,  when  sent  by  Gen.  Rutherford 
on  similar  service. 


16 


CORNWALLIS    AT    CHARLOTTE. 


The  Yadkin  had  been  designated  as  tlie  place  of  battle  and 
when  Coi-nwallis  advanced  on  the  25tli  of  September,  (Jen. 
Sumner,  with  his  command,  immediately  moved,  not  stopping 
until  he  had  crossed  at  Trading  Ford,  near  where  the  Southern 
Railroad  now  crosses.  Gen.  Davidson  took  jmsition  at  Mallaid 
Creek,  eight  miles  from  Charlotte,  and  committed  to  Col.  Davie 
tlie  opposition  of  Cornwallis'  entrance  to  Charlotte  and  Davie 
in  turn  committed  covering  the  retreat  to  Adjutant  Graham. 
There  seems  to  have  been  no  intention  to  re-enforce  the  i)arties 
engaged  in  the  tight,  but  each  command  was  expected  after  en- 
gaging the  enemy,  to  escape  as  best  he  could.  An  account  of 
the  gallant  tight  at  Charlotte  and  the  Cross  Koads  would  too 
much  enlarge  my  narrative  and  is  well  told  elsewliere.  Corn- 
wallis was  awaiting  news  from  P>rguson  and  did  not  advance 
beyond  Charlotte.  Gen.  Sumner  did  not  recross  the  Yadkin ; 
Gen.  Davidson  kept  his  command  at  Phifer's,  and  by  detach- 
ments annoyed  the  expeditions  sent  from  Charlotte  into  the 
adjacent  country  for  provisions  and  sujijilies.  and  kept  Corn- 
wallis in  ignorance  of  the  movements  of  his  allies.  These 
forays  extended  entirely  around  Charlotte  and  there  were  en- 
gagaments  almost  daily,  the  most  noted  being  that  at  Mcln- 
tyre's  farm,  October  od.  The  rejmrts  of  Coi-nwallis  and  his 
officers  testify  to  the  gallantry  of  the  troops  and  the  ])atriotism 
of  the  Mecklenburg  ]»eoi>le  in  these  atfairs.  While  the  militia 
that  were  called  into  service  to  opi>ose  Ferguson  were  assem- 
bling at  Sherrill's  Ford.  Colonels  Cleveland,  McDowell,  Sevier, 
Shelby,  Hampton,  Winston,  of  North  Carolina,  and  Campbell, 
of  Virginia,  of  their  own  accord,  wei"e  assembling  for  the  same 
object  such  of  their  men  as  would  answer  their  call. 

AVhen  they  had  assembled  about  1,500  men  near  Gilberts- 
toAvu,  Rutherford  county,  the  question  as  to  who  was  entitled 
to  command  could  not  be  satisfactorily  adjusted,  as  they  were 
all  colonels.  On  October  4tli  they  sent  Col.  Josei)h  :\IcDowell 
to  Gen.  Gates,  asking  for  an  officer  to  be  sent  to  command  the 
force.  The  following  are  extracts  fi'om  this  communication, 
viz. : 


17 

''As  we  have  at  this  time  called  out  onr  militia  without  any 
orders  from  the  executives  of  onr  dilfercnit  Stales,  iind  with  the 
view  of  expellinj*  the  enemy  ont  of  this  part  of  the  conntrv,  we 
think  such  a  body  of  men  ^^•<>rthy  of  your  attention  and  would 
rcijuest  you  to  send  a  jieneral  officer  immediately  to  take  the 
command  of  such  troojis  as  nniy  endxxly  in  this  ([uarter.  All 
our  Iroojhs  heinii  uiililia  and  but  little  acipiainted  with  disci- 
]»line,  we  could  wish  him  to  be  a  iientleman  and  able  to  keep  uj* 
a  pr(tper  discipline  without  dis,nustin_n  the  soldiery. 

"It  is  the  wish  of  such  of  us  as  are  acipminted  with  Gen.  Da- 
vidson and  Col.  INIoryan  (if  in  service),  that  one  of  these  gen- 
tlemen nuiy  be  appointed  to  this  command. 

''Benja]\[in  Cleveland, 
"Isaac  Shelby, 
"Andreav  Hampton, 
"AViLLL^M  Campbell, 
"Joseph  Winston." 

Tlie  Norlh  Carolina  men  belonged  to  tJen.  Davidson's  com- 
mand and  it  is  highly  proltable  that  he  would  have  been  sent. 

In  the  meantime  Col.  Cam]»be!l,  having  individually  the 
largest  number  of  men,  was  given  command,  and  on  October 
7th,  the  enemy  was  found  and  the  battle  of  King's  Moinitain 
won  before  a  connnan(]er  was  sent.  Soon  after  this  (Jen.  Snmll 
wood,  (»f  Maryland,  who  had  acted  so  gallautly  at  Cam  leu  and 
had  been  appointed  Major-General  or  conunander  of  the  North 
(_'arolina  militia  in  service,  arrived  and  assumed  connuand. 
Gen.  Sumner  was  atfronte:!  at  the  ai)]M»intment  and  retired 
from  service  for  a  time,  or  until  the  arrival  of  (xen.  Greene.  We 
have  at  this  time  quite  a  chapter  of  dissatisfaction  on  account 
of  promotions.  Hari'ington  vs.  Davidson,  Caswell  and  Sumner 
vs.  Suiallwood,  and  Smallwood  vs.  liaron  Stueben,  if  he  should 
be  ]»laced  over  Iuul 

The  time  for  which  the  militia  had  been  called  in  service  ex- 
pired in  November.  Gen.  Gates  had  been  relieved  of  the  com- 
mand of  the  Southern  army  and  his  successor.  Gen.  Greene, 
had  arrived  at  Charlotte  December  3d.  Early  in  December 
Gen.  Davidson  ordered  into  service  another  detail  of  militia 
for  three  months.     It  seems  to  liave  beea  Gen.  Katheriord's 


18 

plau  to  have  had  his  regiments  divided  into  "details"  to  be 
called  into  service  in  succession,  while  in  some  commands  when 
a  call  to  service  was  issued,  first  volunteers  were  called  (ov  to 
fill  it,  and  what  was  lacking  in  volunteers,  was  obtained  by 
draft.  One  detail  had  been  sent  to  Charleston;  anotiiei-  had 
been  called  to  meet  the  first  a<lvance  of  (Nu-nwallis;  now  a 
third  is  needed  to  be  in  readiness  when  he  again  enters  the 
State. 

DAVIItSON's    PLAN    OF    CAINirAKJN. 

Before  the  arrival  and  assumption  <d"  command  of  (Jen. 
Greene,  iV^ovember  2Tth,  Gen.  Davidson  wrote  a  private  not<'  to 
r<d.  Alex.  Martin  suggesting  a  plan  of  campaign  in  opi>ositi(m 
to  Cornwall  is : 

-    NOTE   TO   COL.    jMAUTIX. 

'Sir: — IJ.v  this  time  you  may  be  acquainted  with  the  posi- 
tion the  army  is  to  take  for  the  i)resent.  In  the  nu'antime  it 
appears  to  me  that  a  i)ro])er  exertion  of  the  militia  of  my  dis- 
trict might  greatly  injure  if  not  totally  ruin  the  British  army. 
I  have  been  delil>erating  on  this  matter  some  time  and  submit 
my  plan  to  your  consideration,  and  iiope  that  you  will  en- 
deavor to  ](resent  it  or  something  that  will  be  more  eligible. 
My  scheme  is  to  send  Gen.  ^Morgan  to  the  westward  with  his 
light  troops  and  rifiemen;  one  thousand  volunteer  militia, 
which  I  can  raise  in  twenty  days,  and  the  refugees  from  Sout^h 
Carolina  and  (Jeorgia  to  join,  which  will  make  a  formidable 
body  of  desperadoes,  the  whole  to  be  under  Morgan's  direction, 
and  proceed  immediately  to  Ninety  Six  and  prossess  ourselves 
of  the  w:esteru  parts  of  South  Carolina,  at  the  same  time  the 
main  army  to  move  down  to  the  wax  haws,  which  will  oblige 
the  enemy  to  divide  (which  will  put  them  quite  in  our  power), 
or  vacate  the  present  posts  and  collect  to  one  point,  in  which 
case  we  can  command  the  country,  cut  off  their  supplies  and 
force  them  to  retreat  and  fight  the  militia  in  their  own  way. 
The  mer&eager  waits.  T  have  neither  time  nor  room  to  make 
further  observations.    I  think  the  scheme  practicable  and  cer- 


19 

lain  of  success,   nnloss  the  eneniv   be  i-e-enCoi-ced.    Favor  me 
witli  vtnir  o|>iiiioii  on  tliis  matter,  and  iK'lieve  me,  dear  sir. 
"Voiir  very  obedient  and  lionoral)le  servant, 

"W.M.   Davidsox. 

'  N.  I>. — This  c<»mes  to  von  in  a  private  cajtacify."  (State 
Records,  XIV.,  p.  751).) 

As  Gen.  Davidson's  troo}!S  were  all  infantry,  about  Jannar\ 
1st  he  proposed  to  Adjt.  Joseph  (Iraham,  who  had  ah'eady 
served  one  term  or  three  months,  altlioniili  exenjjit  for  three 
years  on  acconnt  of  nine  months'  service  in  tiie  Continental 
line,  and  who  had  jnst  recovered  frinn  wt>nnds  received  at  Char- 
lotte Septend»er  2r»th,  to  enlist  a  body  of  cavalry,  jn-omisinj;' 
him  such  raidc  a^  the  nnml)er  e;ilisted  won]<]  entitle  hijn  to.  In 
a  few  weeks  he  had  hi'ty-tive  men,  only  three  of  whoni  were  mar- 
ried, end>odied,  and  he  was  commissioned  captain. 

orr-osixG  corxwalijs. 

Gen.  Greene,  in  o}t]»osino-  Cornwallis"  second  advance  into 
NoV-th  Carolina,  disposed  his  forces  as  follows:  Gen.  Hnger 
with  tlie  C(»ntinentals  at  T'heraw.  S.  C..  on  the  east ;  (len.  ]\[or- 
o;an  witli  H(!ward  ami  Col.  William  Washington's  cavalry  and 
some  Xortii  Car(»iina  militia  iin^'er  Col.  Joseph  McDowell,  near 
I'road  i-iver,  on  the  west;  for  a  central  force,  connecting  these 
and  ]irepared  to  a.ct  with  either  as  occasion  might  require,  he 
relied  ni)on  the  miliii.a  of  Kowan  and  ^Mecklenburg,  under  (ien. 
Davidson.  The  militia  of  these  counties  from  the  formation 
of  committe3s  of  safety  until  the  close  of  the  war,  while  answer- 
ing in  full  ](roj>ortion  all  calls  for  troo]is  for  the  line  or  militia 
service  beyond  the  State,  seem  to  have  regarded  themselves  as 
always  ready  to  answer  calls  to  service  in  their  own  locality, 
clainnng  no  exemptions  to  which  any  might  be  entitled  on  ac- 
C(uint  of  any  previous  service.  They  only  asked  that  the  call 
should  be  for  fighting  and  not  for  ordinary  cam])  duty;  as 
soon  as  the  fight  was  over  they  return  home  with  or  without 
leave.  The  history  of  the  Kevolutiiui  shows  no  history  of 
greater  valor  and  ])atriotisni. 

At  the  battle  of  Cowpens,  January,  1781,  Gen.  Morgan  de- 
feated Tarleton,  and  by  death  wounds  and  capture,  deprived 


20 

Cornwallis  of  the  service  of  one-fifth  of  tlie  most  valuable  of  his 
regular  troops.  Cornwallis,  in  his  forward  movement,  would 
have  to  cross  the  Catawba;  arrangements  were  made  lo  annoy 
ami  injure  him  while  so  doing,  and  this  dutv  was  assigned  Id 
Gen.  l)avids(»n  and  his  North  Carolina  militia.  Cen.  (Ireene 
seems  to  have  had  no  intention  of  a  battle  with  Cornwallis;  he 
ordered  (Jen.  Huger,  who  commaui^eil  the  Continentals  at  Che- 
raw,  to  retreat  to  Cuilfoi-d  Court  House,  which  he  himself 
proceeded  to  do,  and  when  he  joined  him  there  continued  his 
journey  across  the  Dan. 

Gen.  Davidson  made  his  arrangements  at  the  respective 
fords  on  the  Catawba  river;  ]»ickets  of  cavalry  were  ]»laced  at 
Tuckaseege,  Toole's  and  Cowan's  Fords.  Col.  John  Williams, 
of  Surry,  with  two  hundred  men  at  Tuckaseege;  Capt.  Potts,  of 
Mecklenburg,  at  Toole's,  with  seventy;  Lieutenant  Thomas  Da- 
vidson, of  Mecklenburg,  at  Cowan's,  with  twenty-tive.  It  was 
supposed  that  the  crossiiLg-  would  be  at  Beattie's  Ford,  the  best 
crossing  on  the  river,  and  on  the  main  line  of  travel  in  passing 
through  this  section.  Here  were  assembled  the  Orange  County 
militia,  under  Col.  Farmer,  and  the  Mecklenburg  under  Col. 
Thomas  Tolk.  and  some  of  the  Rowan  men.  Gen.  Davidson 
mane  his  headquarters  at  this  point.  Gen.  Greene  having  noti- 
tied  him  that  he  desired  to  see  Gen.  Morgan  an<l  Col.  Washing- 
ton at  ]>eattie's  Ford,  dispatched  his  brother-in-law,  K[»hraim 
Davidson,  then  only  a  lad,  to  notify  them.  On  January  ,*Ust, 
all  parties  had  arrived  at  the  appointed  place  within  ten  min- 
utes. After  an  interview  of  half  an  hour  they  se])arated.  The 
enemy  appeared  on  the  opposite  bank  during  the  conference. 
In  the  isorth  Carolina  Booklet  for  April,,  19()G,  is  a  detailed 
account  of  the  battle  of  Cowan's  Ford,  hence  I  omit  ]>articulars 
of  it.  Gen.  Davidson,  by  the  aid  of  Graham's  cavalry,  who  fre- 
quently crossed  the  river,  kept  well  posted  as  to  the  position  of 
the  enemy.  Gen.  Greene  suggested  that  the  ai)pearance  at 
Beattie's  Ford  was  jtrobably  a  ruse  and  that  Cornwallis  would 
pass  Tarleton  over  the  river  during  the  night  at  some  private 
ford  and  attack  Davidson  in  the  rear  at  the  point  selected  for 
crossing.  Patrols  were  ordered  up  and  down  the  river  be- 
tween the  fords,  to  be  kept  moving  all  night.    Gen.  Davidson, 


21 

after  Greene's  departure,  remarked  to  Capt.  Graham  that  ''This 
was  Gen.  Greene's  first  view  of  tlie  Catawba,  but  he  seemed  to 
know  as  much  about  it  as  those  who  were  reared  on  it.'' 

(ien.  ihividson  had  probably  learned  through  friends  that 
Cowan's  had  been  selected  as  the  point  of  crossin«>',  and  moved 
Col.  Polk's  force  and  Graham's  cavalry  to  this  point,  where 
they  arriveil  after  dark  and  spent  the  ni.«ht  near  by.  Inlorma- 
tion  received  led  them  to  jkink  that  the  horse  ford  would  be 
chosen  as  the  route  for  the  crossing.  This  information  was 
probably  gained  from  persons  who  had  heard  the  in(]uiries  of 
the  officers  as  to  the  fords.  The  horse  ford  was  much  the  best 
bottom  and  shallower  water,  while  the  wagon  ford  was  not  half 
the  length.  The  horse  ford  reaches  the  bank  a  quarter  of  a. 
mile  below  the  wagon  ford. 

(JEN.    DAVIDSON    KTLLP^D. 

Gen.  O'Hara,  supported  by  Tarleton,  had  been  chosen  as  the 
force  to  cross  at  Cowan's.  The  British  entered  the  water; 
O'llara's  infantry  in  front,  with  i)oles  to  steady  themselves 
against  the  swiit  current,  Tarleton's  cavalry  following.  About 
tiie  time  "O'llara  m(»ved,  Webster  had  his  men  to  go  into  the 
river  at  J'eattie's  Ford  and  fire  their  guns;  also  opened  with 
his  artillery;  made  a  feint  as  if  he  were  going  to  cross  in  order 
to  detract  attention  from  Cowan's.  As  soon  as  Lieutenant  Da- 
vidson's pickets  discovered  the  enemy,  they  opened  fire.  They 
Avere  re-enforced  by  Graham's  men,  dismounted,  Avho  joined  in 
the  firing.  Gen.  Davidson,  hearing  the  firing,  rei)aired  imme- 
diately to  Col.  Polk's  command  and  ordered  them  to  move  up 
to  the  wagon  ford.  He  directed  Capt.  Graluim  to  give  place  to 
Polk's  men  and  to  mount  his  men,  form  on  the  ridge  in  the 
rear  and  be  p'rei)ared  to  meet  any  attack  as  (ien.  Greene  had 
suggested.  The  enemy  reached  the  bank  before  many  of  l*olk's 
men  got  into  jtosition,  and  secui-ing  the  crossing,  immediately 
loaded,  and  advancing  up  the  bank,  l)egan  firing.  Gen.  David- 
son ordererl  a  retreat  for  1(10  yards  down  the  river.  The  firing 
became  so  heavy  that  his  command  fell  back  fifty  yards  farther. 
tie  ordered  his  men  to  take  shelter  l)ehind  the  trees  and  renew 
the  battle.     The  enemy  were  advancing  in  line,  firing  sh>wly, 


22 


Fiom    Cell.  J.   1\    Gra/hun  and  llis  Revolutionary  I'apcis. 


23 

when  Gen.  Davidson  Avas  sliot,  beinjj  instantly  killed.  The  in- 
t'antrv  immediately  dispersed,  lioinj;  11ir<»ni;h  the  hushes  to 
avoid  the  enemy's  cavalry,  ('apt.  (Jraham  l)i-oni;ht  olT  his  com 
mand  in  order. 

(Jen.  Davidson  was  shot  through  the  left  breast  hy  a  small 
ritie  hall.  As  the  British  carried  muskets,  this  is  sujtposed 
to  have  bten  done  by  a  Tory,  who  acted  as  jiilot  to  the  enemy  in 
crossing  the  river.  The  enemy  did  not  discover  Gen.  David- 
son's body.  They  buried  the  three  other  Americans  who  were 
killed  at  the  river,  and  all  of  their  dea:l,  including  ^laj.  Hall. 
He  fell  down  the  river  from  the  for.l  and  they  moved  up  the 
rivei-  on  leaving.  Gen.  Davidson's  horse,  after  he  fell,  Avent  to 
the  house  of  Maj.  John  Davidson,  Avliere  Jos.  G.  Davidson  now 
lives,  near  Toole's  Ford.  Major.  David  ^Vils(»n,  who  was  with 
Gen.  Davidson  when  he  fell,  assisted  by  his  pastor,  Rev.  Mr. 
McGaiil,  and  Richard  Hairy,  took  the  body  to  the  residence  of 
Samuel  AVilson,  where  it  was  prepared  for  burial  and  that 
nij^ht  interred  at  Hopewell  church,  some  three  miles  away,  by 
torchlight,  as  the  night  v/as  very  dark.  It  is  stated  by  some 
writers  that  the  bot-y,  before  recovery,  ha  1  been  stripped  of  its 
clothing, -but  this  is  very  improbable.  His  sword  was  recovered 
and  is  now  preserved  at  Davidson  College.  D'  the  clothing  had 
been  taken,  the  sword  Avould  not  have  been  left.  His  grave  is 
still  known,  although  unmarked  by  memorial  stone.  Mrs.  Da- 
vidson was  informed  of  the  General's  death  at  her  home  some 
eight  or  ten  miles  aAvay,  and  her  neighbor,  George  Temjdeton, 
Avhose  descendants  still  live  in  the  community  near  Moores- 
ville,  accompanied  her  to  the  burial. 

Thus  at  the  age  of  thirty-four  years  fell  one  of  the  most  use- 
ful men  that  North  Gar.tlina  furnished  in  the  struggle  for  inde- 
pendence, after  more  than  six  years  service  in  varior.s  posi- 
tions, in  each  of  which  he  met  the  demands  of  the  occasion. 

Light  Horse  Harry  Lee  says  of  him  in  his  "3Ie:noirs :"' 

"The  loss  of  I'rigadier  Davidson  would  have  been  always 
felt  in  any  stage  of  the  war.  D  Avas  particularlj'  detrimental 
in  its  effects  at  this  period,  as  he  Avas  the  chief  instrument  re- 
lied uiion  by  Greene  for  the  assembly  of  the  militia,  an  event  all 
important  at  this  crisis  and  anxiously  desired  by  the  American 


24 

general.  The  ball  i)assed  tlii'ou<;li  his  breast  and  he  instantly 
fell  dead.  This  iiroiiiising  soldier  was  thus  lost  to  his  conntrj 
in  the  meridian  ol'  life  and  at  a  moment  when  his  services 
would  have  been  hiiihly  beneficial  to  her.  lie  was  a  man  of 
popular  manners,  jdeasinjn  address,  active  and  inilefati^able; 
devoted  to  the  profession  of  arms  and  to  the  great  cause  for 
which  he  fought.  His  future  rsefu.lness  may  be  inferred  from 
his  former  conduct.  The  Congress  of  the  I'nited  States  in 
gratitude  for  his  services  and  in  commemoration  of  Iheir  sense 
of  his  worth,  passed  suilabk'  resolutions." 

He  made  his  will  Decendier,  17S(>,  appointing  his  father-in- 
law,  John  Rrevaril,  his  bother-in-law,  W'lu.  Sliar]»e,  and  -John 
Dickey  executors.  Only  Dickey  and  Sharpe  acted,  and  in  17S3 
presented  a  memorial  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State  for  set- 
tlement of  an_iorint  due  for  his  sei-vices.  This  was  ordered  ]>aid. 
The  matter  is  again  referred  to  in  the  session  of  17!)(>,  Novem- 
ber L".»tli,  and  of  17!)!'.  H.  .1.  I)ecend»er  .".tli.  \\'lien  he  was  ap- 
pointed brigadier-generaf  of  the  militia,  he  still  reiaine;l  his 
position  ii  the  "line"  as  (Jen.  Kutherl'ord  would  when  ex- 
changed, assume  the  command  of  the  luilitia.     In   l)ecend)er, 

1780,  (Jen.  Sumner  was  ordered  by  Congress  to  report  the 
supernumerary  officers  of  the  Continental  line  who  were  unnec- 
essary on  account  of  the  reduced  number  of  the  force,  ami  c<)uld 
be  dropped.     (Jen.  Sumner,  in  making  liis  rejtort  danuai'y  27, 

1781,  to  Gen.  Greene,  regrets  that  the  country  is  to  lose  the 
valuable  services  of  these  officers.  He  includes  Gen.  Davidson 
in  the  list,  as  he  states  at  his  re(iuest.  (State  Kecords,  \'ol. 
XV.,  p.  501.) 

On  Dccend>er  ;}1,  1780,  his  connection  with  the  North  Caro- 
lina Continentals  ended,  but  the  dropped  officers,  or  their 
widows,  were  to  receive  half  pay  until  seven  years  after  the 
close  of  the  war.     (101,  Vol.  XV.) 

Davidson's   rrigadb  after   his   death. 

As  this  [taper  is  intended  to  be  historical  a  short  notice  of 
Gen.  Davidson's  Brigade  after  his  death  is  annexed.  A  full 
account  of  this  is  given  in  Gen.  Graham's  Kevolutionary  I'apers. 
They  did  not  conclude  that  as  the  enemy  had  left  their  borders 


25 

tliey  would  return  home  and  leave  liim  to  the  attention  of  those 
A\  honi  he  niiglit  next  visit,  but  being-  unable  to  stop  his  advance, 
foiiiH'd  to  annoy  his  rear  and  serve  as  best  they  could  wherever 
needed  unMl  their  term  of  service  expired.  They  assembled  at 
Harris'  Mill,  on  Kocky  river,  the  next  day  and  started  in  ]»nr- 
suit  of  the  enemy.  On  the  11th  of  February  at  Sliallow  Ford 
they  requested  Gen.  Andrew  Pickens,  of  South  Carolina,  to  as- 
sume command,  as  there  was  no  general  officei-  of  this  State 
present,  and  Major  James  Jackson,  of  Georgia,  afterwards  Gov- 
ernor of  that  State,  was  ap])ointed  brigade  major,  or  as  Ave  say 
now  adjutant  general.  There  were  seven  hundred  of  David- 
son's men  and  some  thirty  or  forty  refugees  from  South  Caroli- 
na and  (icorgia.  Gen.  Pickens  continued  in  command  until  the 
expiration  of  the  three  months'  term  of  his  men  early  in  March 
and  just  before  the  battle  of  Guilford  Court  House. 

Gen.  Pickens,  being  from  South  Carolina,  has  caused  histo- 
ria.ns  to  credit  these  troops  to  that  State.  Gen.  Pickens  was  a 
brave  and  efficient  commander  and  his  association  with  the 
North  Carolina  troops  entirely  jdeawant,  but  the  troojis  were 
North  Carolinians  and  their  services  should  be  credited  to  the 
State.  On  February  18th,  pre]»arations  for  battle  were  made 
upon  the  alarm  of  "Tarleton  is  coming."  It  proved  to  be  Light 
Horse  Harry  Lee  with  his  legion,  whose,  unifcu'm — dark  green — 
was  the  same  as  that  of  Tarleton.  This  was  the  tirst  intelli- 
gence that  Gen.  (Jreene  had  of  the  Avhereabouts  of  Davidson's 
command  or  that  Pickens  had  that  Greene  had  recrossed  the 
Dan.  The  brigade  then  served  with  Gen.  Greene  until  the  term 
of  service  exj tired  early  in  March,  participating  in  the  engage- 
ment at  Cla})ps,  Whitsell  or  Hart's  Mills,  Pyle's  massacre  and 
other  points.  Some  of  them  remained  longer  but  the  last  de- 
parted for  home  March  10. 

A  query,  concerning  which,  the  students  of  history  can  em- 
l>loy  themselves  is :  whether  the  seven  hundred  men  of  David- 
son's brigade,  nearly  all  of  whom  had  seen  service  in  two  or 
three  campaigns,  would  not  have  been  more  valuable  in  the  bat- 


26 

tie  of  Guilford  Court  House  than  those  of  the  raw  troops  of 
Butler  and  Eaton ;  and  if  it  was  not  a  mistake  in  Gen.  Greene 
to  defer  battle  awaiting  tlie  arrival  of  the  latter  until  Pickens 
(or  Davidson's)  men  had  been  disbanded. 


PAPER  RELATING  TO  GEN.  DAVIDSON'S  SERVIGES. 


ROLL   OP   AV.    L.    KAVIDSON  S   COMPANY. 

Pension  Office.  P>ook  entitled  "Novtli  Carolina  Miseella- 
ueons  Rolls."     Not  paged. 

Roll  of  Lieutenant  Col.  Davidson's  Company  on  the  2oi'd  of 
A](i-il.  1771):  (Coi»ied  from  Orderly  Pook  of  Sergeant  Isaac- 
Rowel.) 

First  Lieutenant — Edward  Yarborongli. 

Second  Lieutenant — Reuben  Wilkerson. 

Sergeant — Isaac  Rowel,  John  Ilorton,  John  Godwin. 

Corporal — Jesse  Raggett,  Dempsy  Johnson,  James  Tliorp. 

Privates — Adam  Brevard.  Samuel  Boyd,  James  Boyd,  Uriah 
Bass,  Bii-d,  Cornett,  Timothy  Morgan,  -losepli  Furtrell,  Wm. 
Grant,  Daniel  Parker,  Council  I^.ass,  Fifer,  Barny  Johnson, 
Richard  Sumner,  Sothey  JManly,  Booth  Newton,  Pioneer,  Wm. 
Scott,  Pioneer,  Lemon  Land,  Waiter,  Hardy  Short,  John  Nor- 
wood, Joshua  Reams,  l»uckner  Floyd,  Wm.  Hatchcock,  Solo- 
mon Deberry,  Thomas  Wiggins,  Wm.  Wilkinson,  John  Wilson, 
David  Journekin,  Samuel  Davis. 

Left  at  Hospital — Barnaby  Murrel,  Drummer,  Wm.  JNIoore, 
Charles  (Jilison,  James  Robai-ds,  Sterling  Scott,  Waiter,  Hardy 
Porliss,  AVm.  Smith,  Isliam  Jones,  Lithro  Lane,  left  at  Trenton, 
Johsua  Lewis,  Robert  Monger,  Wm.  Gray,  Jos.  ^A'ard,  Isaac 
Gunns,  Chas.  Thomjison,  John  (/arter,  an<l  James  Goodson,  died 
at  New  Windsor  Hospital,  jMaryland;  John  Feasley,  died  at 
West  Point;  Henry  Short  and  Caleb  Woodard,  at  Robertson's 
Hos]»ital  and  IMatth.ew  Murrel,  Andrew  Rowell,  Peter  Valen- 
tine, Josiah  Measley.  Benj.  Brittle,  John  Clark,  John  Batliss 
and  John  Floyd,  at  I'hiladelphia  Hospital.  (State  Rec,  XIV., 
page  294.) 

Davidson's  commission  as  brigadier  general. 

"State  of  North  Carolina. 
"In  the  House  of  Commons,  31st  August,  1780. 
"Mr.  Speaker  and  Gentlemen  : 
"Whereas  from  the  late  captivation  of  General  Rutherford 


2H 

by  the  eiieiuy  iu  South  (^'aroliua  the  inilithi  of  t^alisbui y  dis- 
trict is  in  a  manner  left  destitute  of  a  general  officer  to  com- 
mand them ;  therefore 

"Resolved,  That  William  Lee  Davidson  be  appointed  briga- 
dier (ieneral  of  the  militia  for  said  district  until  tlu^  retnrn  of 
General  Kntherford  from  cajdivity. 

"THOMAS  BEN  1 5  UK  Y, 

Speaker  Commons." 
■     "In  the  Senate  31st  August,  1780,  concurred  with 

"ALEX  MAKTIX, 
"Speaker  Senate." 

COUNCIL    OF    WAR. 

At  a  Connci]  of  Wav  iiebl  at  the  caiiii*  at  X<'W  Pro\i- 
dence,  iu  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  the  L*,"»th  of  Novem- 
ber, 17S0,  consisting  of  the  Comman<ler-in-Chier,  ]\Lijor- 
(Jeneral  Smallwond,  l.!rigadier-C.eneral  Ilngei-,  llrigadier- 
CcMieral  Morgan,  r>rigadieil-( Jenei-al  l>avids<»n.  Colonel  Kos- 
ciusko, Cliief  lOngineer,  Colonel  Ituford,  Lientenant-Colonel 
Howard,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Washington. 

The  Council  being  assembled  the  Commander-in-Chief  ac- 
<(uaintes  them  that:  The  want  of  jtrovisions  and  forage  in  the 
cam]*,  the  advanced  season  of  the  year,  the  almost  total 
(ailure  of  the  herbage,  the  entire  want  of  a  magazine  of  salt 
meat  and  the  uncertainty  of  jtroviding  it,  the  inci-easing  sick- 
ness and  the  un>\holesonu>  situation  of  the  camp,  the  want  of 
any  jtroper  accommodation  of  the  sick,  the  want  of  hosi»otal 
stores  and  ])ro})er  comforts  necessary  for  sick  and  diseased  sol- 
diers, the  i)robability  of  reinforcement  being  sent  from  the 
enemy  at  New  York,  the  invjision  of  Virginia,  and  the  ai>i»ar- 
ent  ])rospect  of  Sir  Harry  Clinton's  su])]»orting  that  invasion 
and  commanding  a  co-operation  Avith  Cornwallis,  the  State 
and  strength  of  the  army  compared  with  that  of  the  enemy, 
and  the  expediency  of  reinforcement  coming  to  our  army  are 
the  motives  which  induced  him  to  assemble  this  Council  of  War 
and  re<pu'st  their  oi>inion  of  the  nun'ement  and  the  position 
that  the  army  ought  to  take  in  the  jjresent  circumstances. 

The  Council  having  fully  deliberated  upon  the  matter  before 


29 

them  and  the  question  bein<i,'  ]nit  of  what  jiosition  the  troops 
onj^lit  to  take,  whether  at  or  near  Cliarh)Ue  or  at  the  Waxhaws 
or  in  the  neighborhood,  the  junior  .niend)er,  Lieutenant  Col. 
AN'ashington,  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  at  or  near  Charlotte 
slioiild  be  the  present  jjosition  of  the  army  to  which  every  other 
member  of  the  Council  consented  but  Gen.  Smallwood,  wlio  was 
for  the  army's  moving  to  the  Waxhaws,  taking  post  there  for 
three  weeks,  and  then  returning  to  Charlotte, 
(Signed:) 

H.   Walter   Gates^ 
W.  Smallwood, 
Isaac  Huger, 
Daniel  Morgan, 
Wm.  Davidson, 
Thad  Kosciusko, 
("ThadeiTs  of  Warsaw.'") 

N.   PjITFORD, 

J.  E.  Howard. 
Wm.  Washington. 
— .  — .  Clovis,  Richmond,  Sec'y.  to  Gen.  Gates. 

To  Gen.  Gates : 

Camp  (^olo.  Phifer's,  October  <>,  1780. 

Tlie  enemy  is  still  confined  to  Charlotte.  The  small  rifle 
companies  I  have  kept  hanging  u]ion  their  lines  have  been  of 
service  in  cliecking  their  foraging  jtarties.  They  are  ]»robab]y 
I.SIM)  strong,  including  those  Loyalists  they  have  received  re- 
cruited in  the  Southward.  Besides  these  they  have  some  un- 
foinit'd  tories  who  follow  the  fortunes  of  the  army;  rather  a 
dead  weight  than  a  benefit. 

A  Col.  Ferguson,  in  the  llritish  service,  has  by  a  vai'iety  of 
means  been  j  ernicious  to  our  interests  in  the  west  of  both  the 
Ca.rolinas.  There  has  such  a  force  taken  the  field  against  him 
as  v.ill  probably  rid  us  of  such  a  troublesome  neighbor.  As  the 
main  strength  of  the  British  in  the  Southern  States  seems  col- 
lected in  Charlotte  I  have  adopted  every  measure  in  my  power 
to  annoy  them. 

WM.  DAVIDSON. 


30 

Dispatch  to  Gen.  Sumner: 

October  8th,  1780. 

I  have  the  jvleasiire  to  enclose  yon  a  larije  packet  of  dispatch- 
es taken  yesterday  at  Mc('al}»in's  creek  on  tlie  way  to  Camden 
by  a  small  jiarty  of  my  brigade.  A  detachment  of  ll'O  horses 
under  Kutleilge  and  Dixon  almost  snrronnde  1  Charlotte  yes- 
terday, attacked  a  pickquet  at  (Nd.  Tolk's  mill  and  al  a  cerlain 
Mr.  Elliott's  brought  a  sen1i-y  of  «'iglil  Tories  who  aie  now  on 
their  way  to  you.  A  small  j.'arty  of  rillcmcn  brought  olf  lifty 
horses  from  the  Tories  at  Col.  Tolk's  jilantatiiMi  last  night. 
Dixon  lost  one  man  killed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  etc.,  etc. 

WM.  DAVIDSON. 

Vol.  XIV.,  p.  G44. 

Camp  Rocky  River,  Oct.  10,  1780. 
Sir: — I  have  two  detachments  of  Cavalry  and  Infantry,  each 
on  the  enemy's  line.  A  considerable  (juantity  of  powder  was 
secured  some  time  ago  within  four  miles  of  Charlotte,  which  1 
knew  nothing  of  until  Sunday  evening.  13  cags  were  brought 
off  that  night,  and  the  remainder  sixteen  have  this  moment  ar- 
rived safe,  which  I  will  forward  immediately.  Pray  let  me 
know  if  his  Lordship's  figures  have  been  decijdiered  yet.  1  find 
he  is  determined  to  surprise  me  and  I  am  as  determined  to  dis- 
appoint him.  Inclosed  you  have  a  draft  of  the  enemy's  lines 
which  was  sent  to  me  by  Col.  P k,  whilst  a  prisoner.  I  be- 
lieve it  may  be  depended  on.     (^ol.  Davie  is  very  ])oorly. 

I  am  etc.,  etc., 

WM.  DAVIDSON." 

N.  B.^Gen.  Graham  in  an  address  at  Charlotte,  May  20th. 
1835,  says  this  j)owder  had  been  moved  from  Camden  to  Char- 
lotte in  the  fall  of  1771),  and  was  guarded  hy  the  students  of  the 
Academy;  that  when  there  Avas  exi)ectalion  of  the  enemy  ad- 
vancing several  of  the  signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration 
on  a  day  agreed  upon  came  with  sacks  in  which  they  tilled  the 
powder  and  conveyed  it  to  places  of  safety,  they  appeared  like 
boys  going  to  mill.     It  was  concealed  in  separate  places — after- 


wards  afforded  a  reasonable  supply — not  much  was  damaged 
and  the  enemy  ^ot  none.      (N.  C  Booklet,  January  IIMKI.) 

Tuesday  eyening  a  small  party  of  my  infantry  fell  in  will) 
two  wagons  on  llieir  way  from  Camden  within  two  miles  of 
Charlotte.  They  killed  two  men.  took  and  brought  off  the  wag- 
ons, horses  and  portmanteaus  with  otTrtcers'  baggage.  (Page 
786.) 

To  Gen.  Sumner: 

October  11,  1780. 

Nothing  new  from  Charlotte.  Had  we  more  men  we  could 
make  their  forage  cost  them  dear.  The  ajtpearance  of  50  men 
yesterday  caused  100  to  return  without  a  handful.  Inform 
Gov.  Nash. 


